Grindstone

Pixtastock,com

I discovered, to my horror, that about half of the data on the spreadsheets I started this year to keep up with bookkeeping and taxes had mysteriously ‘poofed.’ The data was also gone from two backups!

So, yesterday I entered the data from August and September. Today I re-entered the data from June and July, and then went through our credit card statements from January through September to check to make sure all the items from them was included on the spreadsheets.

I printed each spreadsheet, just in case gremlins enter my computer again and eat the data.

I am NOW making a backup and will make a second after I check the first to make sure nothing was lost in translation.

I wasn’t really in the mood for such a long character-building exercise….

Pepe Le Pew and Penelope

“Pepé Le Pew is a character from the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, first introduced in 1945. Depicted as a French striped skunk, Pepé is constantly in search of love and appreciation.” Penelope is a black cat who catches Pepe’s eye. She is constantly in a situation where paint falls on her, or something similar, so she has a white stripe down her back. Pepe is mad for her.

This was one of our favorite cartoons, so we delighted in making this decoration for our mailbox.

The decoration is about 2-1/2 feet high and about 2 feet wide at the widest point. We cut the design out using our CNC machine (computer guided torch) from sheet metal. We welded the piece onto an attachment section so we can bolt the design onto the pole of the mailbox. I then use an overhead projector to mark salient details and then paint both sides of the piece. The final step is spraying it front and back with polyurethane to protect it from the elements as much as possible.

Hoping this will bring a smile to YOU, plus people who drive by the bottom of our driveway.

Salad

Matt Devitt WINK Weather

Progress

Jeff Jett

This – on the last day of September – is DAY 28 of my daily yoga practice. My face doesn’t look nearly as blissful as this sweet lion’s face, but I AM making progress. It’s exciting to finally feel my body ‘give’ as I breathe, moving closer to the goal. Each time I start with stiff, sore parts from one end to the other. After I finish, though, I feel much looser.

This is DAY 13 of my ‘getting-serious-about-keto’ eating. I am using a carb tracking site called Cronometer.com. I filled out a short form to find out what MY macros (percentages of fat, protein and carbs) should be for the day.

pinterest

I had no trouble eating protein – in fact, I discovered I was eating way TOO much protein. I was staying under the 5% carbs easily, but nothing was happening. I discovered I wasn’t eating enough fat! My son helped me figure out good ways to add healthy fat to my diet. I can put a tablespoon of heavy whipping cream in my coffee, for example. I got some avocados. They are good for you and high in fat. I don’t really LIKE them, but I can eat one a day.  I can eat macadamia nuts. I can put a tablespoon of olive oil in my salad…

As I plan for the day, I can ‘test’ what I would like to eat and see graphically what it does for my macros for the day. Yesterday I did well on fat by eating an avocado and having the cream in my coffee for breakfast. The macro showed me I needed to concentrate on protein the rest of the day. The carbs took care of themselves.

I’ve now lost a bit over 6 pounds this month. That’s slow, but it’s better than I HAD been doing, and the weight loss is mainly in the past 12 days of watching my macros. I’m hopeful that October will continue to show good improvement. I would like for there to be 30 pounds or so less of me one day.

I’ve told you I’m also adding 3 days a week on my elliptical trainer. It is in the garage and the temperature is FINALLY cooling off so that I can use it out there without getting heat stroke. :0)

Motivation:

• This has always been hard for me. Our son is really encouraging. He’s leaving soon, though, so I need to buck up and find good things even though he won’t be here. My husband asks me if I’m going to ‘yoge,’ and occasionally tells me he’s proud of me trying to exercise. He says he is ‘with me in spirit.” :0)  I have the wonderful book by Suzanne Ryan, Simply Keto which has provided us with several recipes we like so much they keep me busy cooking without trying more. To have my husband REQUEST meals is the ultimate compliment.
• GOLD STARS on my desk calendar. SILLY, I know, but it works for me. Right now I have the opportunity to earn 10 for this week (7 for yoga, 3 for elliptical).
• Scales – I KNOW that the experts tell you to only weigh once a week. I do it once a day, not expecting to see great things, but to remind myself that I need to watch what I’m eating and keep moving in order to get the lard off.
• Measuring Tape – Every once in a while I’ll get a nice surprise. I figure the measuring tape is objective and will give me an honest answer as to whether things are going in the right direction.
• Fit of my clothes – I’m tired of shopping where I’m hoping that they have clothes that are large enough for me. I have come down several sizes in jeans, and it feels really good to give them to someone else who will be grateful that a pair of jeans will be large enough.

TO DATE –

I have lost 43 pounds since my lardiest  and there are 45 inches less of me than at my lardiest.

I look forward to the day when I am at a healthy weight for my height (I’ve given up trying to get taller), my BMI makes insurance companies sing with joy, I can buy clothes most anywhere I can afford, and I FEEL good. I want to be able to do a lot of things easily that now are off limits because of pain, stiffness, soreness, or fatigue. I don’t picture myself climbing mountains, but a good long walk with friends or one of my dogs would be nice!

 

Sing It!

My Happy Place

Thoughts on a Monday – 9-30-2019

Wild About Nature

September came and went so fast my hair is blowing!

I’m excited about Thursday of this week, when fall is finally coming to Greenwood, Arkansas. We’ll have some rain and the highs for the rest of the week as far as I can see will be in the 70’s. AHHHHH! I’m more than ready.

Our son, who came home to help us through the aftermath of my husband’s stroke, will be leaving Oct. 19th. We are SO lucky to have such a generous, caring son. It’s time for him to get back to his life in Thailand now.

We will do errands, change the decoration on the mailbox, and then settle in to enjoy the day. Yoga and art room are planned. And that’s it from the exciting life of the Lewises! It’s so wonderful NOT to have drama. :0)

Enjoy the last day of September.

 

Can You Sing it With Me?

Rene King Thompson via Marianna Bellantoni

Whine and Cheese

Sound Cloud

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I should get an award for procrastination. I’m an EXPERT in putting off things I hate, coming up with mental and vocal excuses that are truly impressive. My biggest area has been in bookkeeping/tax records. I keep folders, but don’t do the actual putting things down or organizing until push comes to shove and time is running out.

THIS year, I decided that I would do my bookkeeping and tax records at the end of each month. It wouldn’t take a lot of time and I would be up to date, just needing to do totals on the spreadsheets before tying it with a bow for our wonderful CPA.

I have been really good (for me) on keeping up with this. I got behind, though when health issues took obvious priority, so I was going to start on August yesterday, and then dive straight into September.

When I brought up a spreadsheet, a bunch of data was gone! I looked at the other spreadsheets and found the same thing. I got out my backups and ran them. The data wasn’t there, either. :0(

SO – It looks like I’ll have to redo about 5 months of records. OH, JOY.

“No good deed goes unpunished.” (Source in question)

I will grit my teeth and try to get August done today. THEN, I’ll tackle one month at a time until everything is back and caught up. THEN – I will print a copy of each of the spreadsheets AND make a backup!

And the character-building exercises continue….

Carsten Dahl

Carsten Dahl – “God Throwing with the Light”

 

Carsten Dahl – “The Old Man and the Moon”

Gorgeous Pet Portraits

Niki Firmin – Tess

 

Dreama Tolle Perry

 

Gary Wing – Kedzie

Appreciation

Moonbeams and Mayhem via A Girl Down Under Vintage

Thoughts on a Sunday – 9-29-2019

Patti’s Pasticceria

First HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our cousin/treasured friend MURRAY. I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating YOU, Sweet Murray. I love you! Love, also, to all there with you today. :0)

We are having a nice, calm morning so far, and for that I’m truly thankful.

Our son helped me find another carb counting site. We compared it to the one I’ve been using and it seemed to be more accurate and easier to use, so I’ve switched to Cronometer.  So far, it seems easy to figure out what type of thing I need to eat in order to meet my percentages of fat, carbs, and protein for the day.  I can also type something in there I’m planning to eat to see if it is good for my goals. If it isn’t, I find out BEFORE I mess up. A really good thing! :0) I’ve lost 4 pounds this month, but have only gotten serious about the keto percentages (macros) for 12 days now. I’m hoping to be able to report next month a much more satisfying number. I’m planning to lose another 30 lbs or so.

I am earning Gold Star #10 this week (7 for daily yoga practice and 3 for elliptical trainer exercise three times this week.)  Even though I really am adverse to exercise, not relating at ALL to the fit folks in their cute little exercise outfits who LIVE to get to the gym, saying it feels so GOOD, I CAN tell you that I can feel that my body needs what I’m doing.  I stiffen up again after I exercise, but even that is getting a bit better as I move the lard. :0)

I tried my new crayon melter two days ago. I made a huge mess and had a blast doing it. I will watch more YouTube demonstrations and enjoy playing in my art room – if not today, then hopefully tomorrow.

Lots to do today to end this month and start a new one.

I wish you a really good day.

 

 

 

Allergies

Pinterest

Fall MIGHT Come….

One of my favorite photographers is Paul Militaru. He has captured some beautiful images of fall, which is happening in his country, Romania, much faster than it is here in Arkansas. They give me hope for cooler weather, glorious colors, and more time outside.

“Acorns Touched by the Autumn Wing” – Paul Militaru

 

“Colors Characteristic of Autumn” – Paul Militaru

 

“Dry Leaves” – Paul Militaru

 

“Fall” – Paul Militaru

 

For the Love of Owls

Hilary Bralove

“The owl,” he was saying, “is one of the most curious creatures. A bird that stays awake when the rest of the world sleeps. They can see in the dark. I find that so interesting, to be mired in reality when the rest of the world is dreaming. What does he see and what does he know that the rest of the world is missing?”
~ M.J. Rose

 

Science Phile

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?” ~ Unknown

 

Like Page If You Love Owls

“Owl
Wiser than can be
Seeing great at night
Flying quieter over the sea
Making hope shine bright”

Unknown

Thoughts on a Saturday 9-28-2019

Amazing Things – Linda Orrell

Progress Report – Lardage

• Weight Loss – 43 pounds to date. 
• Measurement Reduction – 45 inches to date.

I lost a pound yesterday, but it was a RE-loss of a pound that was gone and regained. I’m working with my MACRO daily to try to get the right percentages of carbs, protein, and fat. This morning I ate an avocado and put heavy whipping cream in my coffee, resulting in over 1/3 of the fat I should have for the day. I don’t really like avocados, but I’m impressed with how good they are for you. They are high fat, which kept me away from them before. Now I’m looking at them as a relatively painless way to get a lot of the fat I need (other than my own, homegrown). I like the fact that on CarbManager.com I can ‘test’ what I plan to eat for each meal and see what happens to my numbers BEFORE I make a mistake. I can then modify my plans. Wonderful!  Ultimate goal is to lose another 30 pounds or so.

Flipkart

I have a good start on my efforts to move more. I have been doing yoga stretches daily now for 26 days, and I just started my elliptical trainer 3 times a week. Since Gold stars on my desk calendar are a really good motivator for me (one for each yoga practice and one for the elliptical) I’ll be adding stars # 8 and 9 for the week today. I’m doing 35 minutes on the elliptical at a regular pace, listening to my MP3 player, basically just trying to zone out and do the time right now. Later I’ll think about doing a couple of intensive (for me) times in there. I try to make changes slowly – trying not to make this body rebel and go on strike for a couple of days in protest – hopefully culminating in more and more of my week spent in moving myself around in ways that will help my strength, balance, and flexibility.

The Guardian

It looks like fall will officially begin here in Arkansas on Thursday of next week, with highs in the 70’s, according to the weather people here. I HOPE they are right, because my energy levels rise when the temperature and humidity decrease.  I’m more than ready for fall.

Daily Dose of Flowers

Today is a quiet one for us. I’ll do my elliptical, my yoga, and plan to spend time in my art room again. Yesterday I tried my new crayon melting tool. I had fun, but am only making glorious messes at this point. I’ll enjoy playing with it again today.

Fill your day with things that bring you joy.

The Saga of Folding Myself into a Paper Airplane

Pinterest

“Relaaaaaaaaxing jaw. Relaaaaaaaxing face.” ~ Cat Kabira, “Gentle Yoga” DVD set

I just finished doing my yoga practice for the day, earning my 5th gold star for the week for yoga (+ two for my elliptical trainer). I’m going for 10 gold stars on my desk calendar by the end of the day Sunday.

 

Pinterest

“Yoga. Because punching people is frowned upon.” — Anonymous

My husband watches me practice each day, reading his tablet in his chair. He says he is exercising and stretching with me ‘in spirit.’ His favorite pose HE calls, “The dog at the fire hydrant pose.” :0)

 

Laughspark

“Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.” — Anonymous

I AM feeling a good difference since I started the DAILY sessions of yoga 25 days ago.  Even though my husband is still having to rub muscle gel with Arnica on me most mornings, I’m feeling looser, and I feel good after my practice.  This is really good for me because, at 72, I tend to get stiff and ‘brittle.’ This is a great way for me to stretch s-l-o-w-l-y and c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y without hurting myself.

 

Best Healthy Magazine Canada

“Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go – what does matter is who you are when you get there.” – Max Strom

The Gold Stars are a stupid, silly way that WORK to keep me motivated to continue daily practice. Now that I’ve added my elliptical trainer 3 times a week, I’m working toward 10 stars a week. :0)

 

Photo by Photosport Int / Rex USA
Longleat Safari Park, Britain – Sep 2006

“I bend so I don’t break.” — Anonymous

It’s fascinating to FEEL my body resist a pose at first, many times being uncomfortable at first – and then start to ‘give’ toward the stretch as I breathe into it.  I’m feeling the difference here. I still can’t go all the way to the floor on some things, but Cat Kabira, the wonderful teacher on “Gentle Yoga” emphasizes that if you are stretching toward your goal, that’s enough. It’s really what kept me going at the very first of getting into this.

 

The Animal Zone

…just enjoy yourself. For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different.” — Judith Hanson Lasater

So, this old lady is grateful to have found a way to start a practice that will help me get and stay as flexible and strong as I can be. Hopefully, I can keep this going for many years to come.

Excitement

Pinterest

I just love this quote! It makes me smile each time I read it.

I received the first of two crayon melting tools I ordered in the mail today. I’ve watched a BUNCH of YouTube videos demonstrating what creative folks can do with melted crayons. I have NO experience, but LOTS of enthusiasm and ideas rattling around in my brain right now. I’m going to try to make time to get up to my art room and start playing and see what a mess I can make. :0)

This is the first of the two different styles I ordered. This is more like using a crayon/soldering iron, so it isn’t as intimidating as the bay clothes ironing style I saw. I’m excited about my new toy.

The Art of Graham Colthorpe

“Brilliant Sunlight – Venice” by Graham Colthorpe

 

“Poppy Field – Venice” by Graham Colthorpe

A Rich Life

Free Spirited

A rich life –

• Your health
• Your family, including your pets
• Your friends
• Your enthusiasm – gratitude, attitude, sense of humor
• Your thirst for continued learning
• Your hobbies
• Time

 

Thoughts on a Friday 9-27-2019

Alma Maghakyan – Imgend.com – LinkedIn

We are enjoying a beautiful day.  The sun is shining and the temperature is in the low 80’s. How CIVILIZED after Mother Nature’s snit where she was routinely boiling us in oil!

We just returned from enjoying our long-time good friends for Lunch Bunch – a thing we’ve done every Friday for over 17 years now. We as a group have had more of our share of challenges lately. We’re helping each other get through them. A happy thing – Kay’s daughter from Albuquerque is here and we always enjoy her wit and humor. Another happy thing – Linda’s daughter dropped by with Linda’s great-granddaughters! They were sweet and shy. My husband’s reaction when we got in the car was, “How come come I can’t have some of those?” He would be a WONDERFUL grandfather.

We’ve grocery shopped and just finished putting everything away, so we’re well stocked for the moment. Our son is trying to get into the habit of rising really early, fixing breakfast, then going to meditate, so he didn’t go to Lunch Bunch with us today. He asked me NOT to get the things we’ve been routinely adding to the grocery list since he’s been here. He’s trying to ‘wean himself off of’ some things he considers bad habits… He came home to help us when my husband had his stroke. I’m trying to prepare myself that he will need to go home soon. I wish he would stay with us forever. He’s such a fine man.

I’m happy to tell you that one of the two crayon melting tools came in the mail today!  I’m going to try to get up to my art room this afternoon and start playing! :0)

I’m on DAY 25 on my effort to do a session of yoga daily, and DAY 10 of getting-serious-about-Keto eating. I have six gold stars on my desk calendar so far this week (4 for yoga and 2 for the elliptical trainer.) I’m hoping to have 10 stars by the end of the day Sunday.

I hope your weather is beautiful and your outlook hopeful.

It’s OK

QuoteReel.com

Exquisite Embroidery

Shabby CHIC Inspirations

 

Shabby CHIC Inspirations

The Photography of Sergio Dardon

Sergio Dardon

 

Sergio Dardon

 

Sergio Dardon

Thoughts on a Thursday 9-26-2019

Animals | HowStuffWorks

We’re having a quiet, soft rain this morning. I can HEAR the flowers, grass, and trees saying, “Ahhhhhh”

Centre of Excellence

I am leaving for a massage as soon as I finish this post!  I’m REALLLLY looking forward to it. Lynn Moody, my massage therapist, is a true miracle worker.

Since it’s raining, I’ll concentrate on inside stuff today, plus my elliptical trainer and yoga.

I’ve been showing you gorgeous melted crayon art lately. I ordered two melting tools recently, and I’ve been watching YouTube demonstrations on different techniques. I’m like a kid at Christmas, waiting to be able to play with them in my art room!

I hope that YOUR day is relaxing and fun.

Insults

Jennifer Ann Mitchell Carroll

More Drawings by Shania McDonagh

Shania McDonagh – Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls

 

Shania McDonagh

 

Shania McDonagh

 

Shania McDonagh

Alina Ciuciu Art

Alina Ciuciu – “A Lion Heart into a Dog”

 

Alina Ciuciu – “All Kinds of Feelings”

Thoughts on a Wednesday 9-25-2019

We Love Earth – Blue Footed Boobies Bird

 

 

We are trying to change out two ballast transformers on fluorescent light fixtures in the garage. We had quite a fight with the first one, but FINALLY got it finished. We decided to ‘declare victory’ and rest for a bit before tackling the other. These have last 31 years, so you could say we have gotten our money’s worth. Still, it’s really stressful with my husband on the ladder, hands above his head, trying to get the job done with his inept go-fer trying to help as best she can…

I am on DAY 8 on getting-serious-about-keto. I lost 2 pounds yesterday!  Last night my son and I talked about how I could add more fat into my diet, since my macro showed I should be eating 5% carbs, 25% protein, and 75% fat. I had been eating way too much protein and not enough fat. I can add whipping cream to a cup of coffee. I can eat some macadamia nuts. I can – and did – add a tablespoon of olive oil to my salad last night.  I’m already eating eggs and cheese, but will try to find a ripe avocado. The last time I tried one, I didn’t care for it, but now is now and I’ll try again.  I will ‘test’ each addition on my CarbManger.com tracker, so I can be confident all is good on the macro and the total number of calories. I’m encouraged that the weight scale is finally starting to smirk at me, rather than showing a sad face.

DAY 23 on daily yoga today.  I’m happy that I can FEEL a difference in my body giving into the stretches as I breathe. The biggest problem is real stiffness when I’m in a sitting position and trying to stretch in any direction, but I’m making gradual progress. I’m also happy that I didn’t have any muscles yelling this morning about yesterday’s combo of the elliptical trainer and my yoga. I do that again tomorrow.

Funotic.com-WhereFunNeverEnds

I finished painting the last stained tee in my art room yesterday.

 

Here’s hoping we can get the second ballast transformer installed and still be in one piece and speaking to each other.

I wish YOU a calm, satisfying day.

 

The Amazing Pencil Drawings of Shania McDonagh

16-year-old Shania McDonagh from Ireland – Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls

 

Shania McDonagh

 

Shania McDonagh

Last of the Harvest?

 

Of all the signs in our yard, this is my favorite. I laugh each time we drive up to the house. It’s on a tree to the right of the top of the driveway. :0)

I’ve told you I had to clean out our raised-bed square foot garden a few weeks ago because the intense heat was too much for the remaining plants. I haven’t been able to find any plants locally to plant for a fall garden, and it’s been too hot to start any seeds in the greenhouse, so I think we’re pretty much finished for the year.

 

The only thing we have left is the tomatoes in our two converted brick planters on the opposite end of the house. The plants look really sad, but are still producing tomatoes. They aren’t as large or as perfect as they were at the height of the season, but they are still delicious in our salads or cut up as an extra veggie on the plate. We’ve had a pretty good garden this year. I’ll start making plans for the spring garden soon.